Westar Energy expands wind program; construction will bring about $90 million to the Kansas economy

Topeka, Kan., Nov. 6, 2013 - Westar Energy, Inc. WR reached agreement with Apex Clean Energy to purchase 200 megawatts of electricity from a wind farm Apex will build near Arkansas City.

"This project is great for our customers," Mark Ruelle, chief executive officer, said. "For the first time, we've been able to add renewable energy at a cost comparable to our other energy resources. In addition, the project will bring about $90 million to the Kansas economy during construction and provide millions more in ongoing economic benefits."

The project is near one of Westar Energy's recently constructed high-voltage transmission lines, meaning that hooking it up will be less costly and less disruptive. It comprises about 18,000 acres six miles south of Arkansas City, just across the state line. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2015, and the wind farm is expected to begin providing electricity in late 2016.

"When  construction starts, Arkansas City likely will see a boost in our economy from the local hiring, as well as the presence of other construction workers who will eat, sleep and shop in our community," Nickolaus Hernandez, city manager of Arkansas City, said in support of the project. "The Kay Wind project will bring significant economic benefits to the people of Arkansas City for decades to come."

Westar currently has about 700 MW of renewable energy in its generation portfolio. It was the first utility in Kansas to add commercial scale wind energy to its generation, with a pilot project in 1999. It remains a leader in renewable energy.

Apex Clean Energy is developing a number of large-scale wind energy projects in the Midwest.

"We are very pleased to be working with Westar, and we look forward to a strong long-term relationship moving forward," said Mark Goodwin, president of Apex.  "The Kay project will bring clean energy, at a great value, to Westar and its customers."

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Westar Energy, Inc. WR is Kansas' largest electric utility. For more than a century, we have provided Kansans the safe, reliable electricity needed to power their businesses and homes. Every day our team of professionals takes on projects to generate and deliver electricity, protect the environment and provide excellent service to our nearly 700,000 customers. Westar has 7,200 MW of electric generation capacity fueled by coal, uranium, natural gas, wind and landfill gas. We are also a leader in electric transmission in Kansas. Our innovative customer service programs include mobile-enabled customer care, a smart meter pilot project and paving the way for electric vehicle adoption. Our employees live, volunteer and work in the communities we serve.

For more information about Westar Energy, visit us on the Internet at http://www.WestarEnergy.com.  Westar Energy is on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WestarEnergyInc and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/WestarEnergy.

Apex Clean Energy is an independent renewable energy company based in Charlottesville, VA. Since its founding in 2009, Apex has become one of the fastest-growing companies in the industry. In December 2012, Apex completed the development and construction of the 300 MW Canadian Hills Wind project outside Oklahoma City. The company has a diversified portfolio of wind energy facilities in development around the country and owns several operating solar PV assets. The company's management team comprises experts from throughout the industry whose collective prior experience includes the development, financing, construction and operation of over $10 billion in wind and solar energy facilities now operating in the United States. For more information about Apex, please visit www.apexcleanenergy.com.

Media Contact, Westar Energy:
Gina Penzig
Director, corporate communications
Phone: 785.575.8089
Gina.Penzig@westarenergy.com
Media line: 888.613.0003

Investor Contact, Westar Energy:
Bruce Burns
Director, investor relations
Phone: 785.575.8227
Bruce.Burns@westarenergy.com

Media Contact, Apex Clean Energy:
Dahvi Wilson
Communications manager
Phone: 434.220.6351
Dahvi.Wilson@apexcleanenergy.com